Opera (The Basics)

Description: 'Opera: The Basics' provides an excellent introduction to the performers and music that make opera an enduring and well-loved musical style. Featuring sidebars throughout the text that present studies of key operas and place the general discussion in context, this easy-to-use guide is logically organized and concludes with a bibliography, discography, and videography. Divided into two parts, 'Opera: The Basics': traces the origins of opera, and then introduces the student to its basic terminology; follows the history of major genres in opera, including serious opera, comic opera, semi-serious opera, and vernacular opera. 'Opera: The Basics' gives a brief introduction to four centuries of opera, and is ideal for students and interested listeners who want to learn more about this important musical style. Table of Contents: Introduction Part I Terms and Topics 1. Origins of Opera The ultimate Baroque expression Baroque Characteristics The Florentine Camerata: Opera's First Theorists From Polyphony to Monody: Solo Song Monody as Recitative Opera's forerunners The Intermedio Learned Comedy (Commedia erudite) Italian Folk Comedy (Commedia dell'arte) Pastoral Drama Church pageants (Sacre Rappresentazioni) Sidebar: Claudio Monteverdi Summary Terminology Aria Strophic Through-composed Da capo Dal segno Cavatina Cantabile Cabaletta Recitative The rhythm of language Dry (secco) Accompanied (accompagnato) Simple Mesuree Ensembles Duets and trios Quartets and larger ensembles Scena Multipartite finales Vocal ranges (with sample roles) Musical Scores and Editions Autographs/holographs Full orchestral Piano-vocal Individual selections Scholarly editions Performing editions Summary 2. Music and Text Relationships The libretto Poetry and musical structures Compositional strategies Subjects, themes, and musical expression Summary 3. Opera in Theaters Patronage Public Theaters Economics of opera Historic Houses Summary 4. History of Opera on Media Recordings Opera on musical boxes The earliest recordings Opera on LPs and CDs Operas on video and DVD Film versions Summary 5. Professions Composers Librettists Singers The Impresario Conductors and Directors Musicians and Dancers Critics Summary 6. Opera as a Mirror of Culture and Society Cultural Expression Opera as class symbol Operatic seasons and society Censorship Opera and religion Gender politics Nationalism The Role of the Audience Summary PART II Genres and Styles 7. Serious Opera Opera seria Tragedie lyrique Opera comique Music drama and Gesamptkunstwerk Summary 8. Comic Opera Opera buffa Farsa Intermezzo Dramma giocoso Opera comique Opera bouffe Summary 9. Semi-serious Opera Opera semiseria Operetta Summary 10. Vernacular Opera Singspiel Zarzuela Semi-opera Ballad opera Summary Author Biography: Denise Gallo is a Music Specialist at The Library of Congress. Previously, she was an Assistant Professor and Co-Director of the Music History Division at The Catholic University of America, where she now remains an adjunct professor. She is a frequent lecturer for Washington Opera, the Baltimore Opera Company, Washington Concert Opera, and Summer Opera Theatre Company, and a contributing author to The Washington Opera Magazine and the Baltimore Opera Subscribers' Study Guide. Gallo is the author of several books, including Rossini: A Guide to Research (Routledge)